Was Jesus Crucified Naked? (Updated 4/13/17)

by Steve Ray on April 12, 2017

A gentleman heard me on Relevant Radio earlier. I had mentioned on the air that one of the great humiliations of a crucifixion was that a man was crucified naked. This thoughtful gentleman wrote to challenge my comments. Below is his e-mail and my response.

Dear Mr. Ray,

Please correct your description of the Passion. You have said that Christ was crucified naked on the cross because it was the Roman way of executing condemned prisoners.

Realize that in Christ’s case the Romans were following instructions of the Jews—Pilate did not want to crucify Jesus, thus he finally gave orders that the soldiers do as the Jews requested. Thus the gospel explicitly describes how the Jews requested the legs of the condemned be broken so that their dead bodies would be removed before the Passover, and this was done per their request.

Nudity in 1st century Jewish culture brought shame to the beholder, and it was the Jews that had Jesus crucified—thus Jesus would have had a cloth to cever his loins, which is consistent with the visions of various mystics of the Church. Otherwise, the gospels would have mentioned the Jewish displeasure, much like it does with their demand to remove the sign above Christ’s head, had Pilate ordered Jesus to be stripped completely naked against the wishes of the Temple leaders.

God bless, A Friend

Dear Friend:

Thanks for writing– and for your thoughtful comments. I always appreciate feedback especially from studious listeners. Please take my comments below in the same irenic tone in which you kindly wrote to me.

However, I disagree with your assessment. There is no reason to believe that Jesus was crucified according to Jewish “specifications.” The Romans had little regard for the Jews, their laws and their sensibilities (e.g., Acts 18:12-17).

The Jews were very scandalized by the sign put on the Cross “Jesus, King of the Jews.” Yet when the Jews specifically went back to Pilate with the demand it be reworded, the Romans refused to change it or take it down even though that was probably more offensive to the Jews than the nakedness of a convicted criminal. Jews were also limited in the number of lashes one could receive, but they certainly paid no heed to that Jewish concern either. They were there to uphold Roman law, not cater to Jewish religious sentiments.

You say the Romans were instructed to do what the Jews requested, but that had only to do with Pilate’s willingness to grant the Jews request to have Jesus crucified instead of just flogged. It did not mean that the Romans wrote down a list of the Jewish sensibilities to insure that none of them were upset. The Romans were to do what the Jews requested only, presumably, in terms of their willingness to allow Jesus to be crucified even though Pilate found him innocent.

Even among the Jewish rabbis there was allowance for nakedness during execution. The Mishnah (Jewish tradition from earlier centuries compiled around 200 AD) records three opinions held among the Jews, saying,

A [When] he was four cubits from the place of stoning, they remove his clothes.B “In the case of a man, they cover him up in front, and in the case of a woman, they cover her up in front and behind,” the words of R. Judah.C And sages say, “A man is stoned naked, but a woman is not stoned naked.”

Here we have the recording of three Jewish traditions. Two out of three claim that a man was executed naked even among his own Jewish countrymen. If even the Jews stripped their own naked according to two out of three of their traditions, why would we think the Romans would practice more scruples than the Jews?

I would agree he was robed on the Via Cruses, but even Scripture says they divided his garments but for the outer garments they cast lots. Soldiers by law were given the right to confiscate the clothing of the convicted felon. They took Jesus’ presumably like they did all the others. There is NO indication that he retained covering, rather the soldiers divided them – outer and under clothes. The Scriptures tell us this.

One good historical commentary says, “The replacement of Jesus’ own clothes for the walk to Golgotha was probably a concession to Jewish scruples about public nakedness (Jub. 3:30–31; cf. Gen 9:20–27). Crucifixion was normally naked, and in v. 35 Jesus’ clothes will again have been removed; m. Sanh. 6:3 specifies that the clothes should be removed only at the place of execution, not on the way there.”

An excellent commentary on the details of the life of Christ relays, “Even though Jesus has been flogged, Mark/Matt have Jesus dressed again before he sets out to the place of crucifixion. Normally the criminal, carrying the lateral beam of the cross behind his neck with his arms fastened to it, would go naked to the place of crucifixion, being scourged as he went. We know this from passing references in Dionysius of Halicarnassus (RomanAntiquities 7.69.2) and Valerius Maximus (Facta 1.7.4). Indeed, Josephus (Ant. 19.4.5; #270) reports that even Roman nobles involved in the assassination of Gaius Caligula had their clothes removed before being taken to the place of execution.

“In having the final disrobing of Jesus only at the place of execution (Mark 15:24 and par.), the evangelist may reflect a local concession that the Romans made to the Jewish abhorrence of public nudity. Josephus reports that the Roman tribune Celer, who was executed in Jerusalem by imperial order, was dragged across the whole city as a public spectacle before being beheaded; but there is no mention of his being disrobed (War 2.12.7; #246; Ant. 20.6.3; #136).”

Another commentator says, “To distribute the garments of Christ among the soldiers, the clothes had to be removed from Christ. Thus, Christ was crucified naked. The suffering was great at the crucifixion but so was the shame. No artist dares to picture Christ as naked—they put a loin cloth around Him for modesty. But Scripture indicates He was naked.”

Another says, “[T]he normal undergarment was either a tunic or a loincloth, and Jesus’ tunic was taken from him (v. 23; Brown 1970:902), it is perhaps more likely he was naked. Early Christian tradition is divided on the subject (cf. Brown 1994:2:953).”

Catholic Monk and prolific writer Thomas A Kempis wrote a meditative prayer on the death of Christ including the words, “Of the Crucifixion, naked, of the Lord Jesus; and of His hanging for many long hours aloft upon the Cross.”

Typical Crucifixion scene

“[Bishop St.] Melito, the second century AD bishop of Sardis, wrote in his sermon on the passion of Christ: ‘The Sovereign has been made unrecognizable by his naked body, and is not even allowed a garment to keep him from view.’ Because people of his day had witnessed crucifixions, Melito knew that the victims were executed without clothing” (Lexham Bible Dictionary).

In my opinion and others, there is NO reason to believe that the Romans covered Jesus’ privates with a loin cloth. In fact, it would be unreasonable to think they would do this since crucifixion was to be the final humiliation and degradation. They had very little respect for Jewish sensibilities in general. Even if they made a concession to the Jews by covering him as he processed through the streets, they would have removed his clothes at the site of the execution, even as the Jews did with their own executions. Roman custom gave the soldiers the right to appropriate for themselves all the clothes of the convict – kind of as a bonus.

And if you suggest they crucified Jesus with his loins covered, do you suggest that ALL executions were done with private parts covered? Were the thieves on his right and left also covered? I don’t think they treated Jesus differently than any other criminals crucified.

You mention various Mystics who have “revealed” that Jesus was covered on the cross. I suspect this has to do with pious puritanism more than historical reality. I often enjoy the writings of mystics and are benefited from them, but I don’t have a lot of confidence in their often contradicting visions, especially when it contradicts historical realities and Scripture.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to these revelations of Mystics in a category called “private revelation.” Commenting on private revelation the Church teaches, “Throughout the ages, there have been so-called “private” revelations, some of which have been recognized by the authority of the Church. They do not belong, however, to the deposit of faith. It is not their role to improve or complete Christ’s definitive Revelation, but to help live more fully by it in a certain period of history. Guided by the magisterium of the Church, the sensus fidelium knows how to discern and welcome in these revelations whatever constitutes an authentic call of Christ or his saints to the Church. (no. 67)

Rembrandt’s self-portrait in Dutch painters beret. HE raised Christ on the cross and we did too!

Just an interesting parallel to ponder: The first Adam was naked and due to sin had to be clothed; the last Adam was clothed but to redeem was stripped naked. The first brought death at the tree of life, the last brought life at the tree of death.

In this regard The Fathers of the Church loved to play with the concept of the naked Christ. In that regard I suggest, Jesus born naked in a cave provided by a man named Joseph and he was then wrapped in swaddling clothes. In his death he was stripped of his clothes and later covered by a shroud and placed in a cave provided by another man named Joseph.

Lastly, I agree that this goes contrary to all our Catholic sentiments of decency and modesty which is why artists always portray, and properly so, Jesus in a loin covering. But real life is not controlled by polite conventions especially in pagan Rome.

My friend, may you and those you love have a wonderful Easter and may the joy of our risen Lord Jesus shine in your heart for all of eternity. Thanks for your thoughtful e-mail.

Thanks for the insightful article. I’ve heard both sides of the argument before, and I’ve learnt more from both A Friend’s letter and Steve’s article. I have no opinion either way, and like some of the mysteries in scripture I am open to the insight of experts and future findings. Christ’s death on the cross, with or without the loin cloth, is a manifestation of God’s love for me.

Steve, I heard you speak in Dubai in Nov 12 . I also own a couple of your books and love reading them. A Protestant friend yesterday greeted me with the words ‘Happy Resurrection Day’ in a text and went on to expound how we must not use the word ‘Easter’ as its Pagan in Origin etc . I know the Eastern Christians use “Pascha” and the association with the Passover . However there are conflicting threads on Catholic Answers and someone there is even challenging something you’ve written. Can you please shed more light on this matter and write a detailed article like only you can?

Ray, I too had a non-denominational pastor wish me ‘Happy Resurrection Day’ What’s with this?
I’ve heard some public schools are not allowing students to use the word ‘Easter’. Have our
Protestant friends gone mad or am I missing something?

I am not Catholic but SDA. I ran across your comments while looking up something else. I also believe Christ died on the cross uncovered. I am just thankful that his blood covers my sins. I enjoyed reading your comments Mr. Ray.

Jesus was considered to be “naked” while wearing a loincloth. According to wikipedia (search for “biblical clothing), Israelite men wore an apron like cloth next to the skin (which was a simple piece of cloth worn in various configurations), or an under-tunic ( an outfit similar to a long shirt). In time, anyone wearing nothing but one of these articles of clothing were considered to be naked. Thus, when Jesus was stripped of his clothing before being crucified, he would be considered naked even if he wore a loincloth

I thankyou for your studies and travels which I enjot very much on EWTN. I have always wondered whether Jesus was crucified naked. I personally believe that he was naked. I believe that that was the ” ignominy” of the cross.
People at the time of Chtist were no different than today. There was no surprise-in my opinion-that He was naked. I firmly believe that the crowds at that time were well aware that a person could and would be crucified with respect to the human person!
Thankyou for your references and your devotion to our Lord. May He bless your work and honesty for the programs and writings you put forward. why should we believe that the Romans of that time would have any compunction to the wishes of the Jews. Crucifixion was meant to be a warning that they were the boss and as a sign that one does not cross Rome in any manner. I’m sure that people knew that a crime need not be committed to be crucified! Remember that this was likewise a time of Passover and with the great crowds entering Jerusalem there had to be order at any cost!!!! Again, thankyou for your insight and study,

When you look at the Shroud of Turin, there is no indication that Christ was wearing a loin cloth. Would they have taken the time to remove the loin cloth before wrapping Him in the burial shroud? Because of the Roman custom of crucifying criminals in the nude as a final humiliation, I do believe Christ was crucified naked. However, I have heard/read some comments that after He was crucified and hanging on the cross, some people (women?) attempted to cover Him up with a veil or some other type of cloth to maintain His modesty.

There was also the fact of his nakedness showing Him to have been circumcised. A “mark” of being Jewish hence the shame doubled as he was named “King of the Jews”. It was considered one of the proofs a man was Jewish.
There was no modesty in the brutality heaped upon Jesus. Anymore than there was for the Christians thrown to the lions. In art history many early depictions did show Him naked. And many of them were painted over.

Thank you for the very interesting read. One goes through life listening to sermons but never pays attention to these things or even think about it. Yesterday at the Good Friday Mass I distinctly heard the priest read about the part when they took away Jesus’s inner garment which was seamless. I did wonder then what it meant but just accepted what was said.

I forget which theologian I heard this from, but I was struck by the thought: that, in being crucified, Jesus not only redeemed death itself, but he redeemed a shameful death. The shame of being publicly naked ties in to that. Redeeming undeserved shame is significant for our own lives.

The Venerable Mary of Agreda gives us a different perspective. One that has the hand of God in it and is very plausible, given His love of the BVM. In her four volume writings, divinely revealed, entitled ‘The Mystical City of God’, she wrote in chapter xvii & xx of Vol. III, how the BVM was given multiple graces by God during this most trying time. One being the answering of her prayer that, at Jesus’ crucifixion, His crucifiers not succeed in removing all His clothing. It is noted that God answered her prayer and allowed His cincture remained intact, despite the efforts made to remove it.

Thanks Brent for sharing that. Much appreciated and glad for the continued discussion. I know you are not saying that her writings are required for belief. We must remember that this is private revelation and not required of the faithful to believe. Many mystics contradict each other and it is often pious sentiments which are put forth as fact. Here writings are very controversial as stated here: “According to María de Ágreda, the book was to a considerable extent dictated to her by the Blessed Virgin Mary and regarded the life of the Virgin Mary and the divine plan for creation and the salvation of souls. The book, however, makes a number of unusual claims and has remained controversial within the Catholic Church having been banned and restored a number of times over the centuries. In 1673, María de Ágreda was declared venerable soon after her death, but the process of her beatification has yet to be completed.[2] Beatification and canonization do not authenticate revelations, however.” (Wikipedia)

I’m sorry but am I the only one that thinks that it finds even discussing it distasteful. I was not going to comment but I thought that my point of view should be heard because I believe I am not the only one that feels this way. I contemplate on the crucifixion regularly and never spend time on this subject.

STEVE RAY HERE: Sue, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this matter. I agree it is distasteful but it was the way it was. Sorry, but our dislike for something does not make it go away or mean it did not happen. I am not asking you or anyone else to spend time meditating on it; I am only stating the facts about crucifixion in Roman times and the utter shame and pain that accompanied such a death. It shows the ultimate price paid for our sins.

JoAnn gave a great reason why we should acknowledge that Our Lord was not spared any humiliation for our sakes. One can clearly see that He was naked when wrapped in The Shroud. There may be some debate as to its authenticity, but if one accepts it as genuine, one must acknowledge that the man in the image is naked. How utterly humiliating it must have been to hang there for hours on end, and then to have your mom have to witness that! Miserere me Deus!

I do not believe that it is right to shy away from the facts concerning Christ being disrobed while he was on the cross. I think it would be more helpful to reflect on what that shameful humiliation he bore on our behalf signified and bring us closer to Jesus. Jesus took our place of poverty, nakedness, wretchedness, blindness and pathetic living when he took up the cross. He is the Bridegroom and he purchased the bright ,clean, fine linen for his bride, the Church, allowing us to trade our righteousness which is like filthy rags and be clothed in His perfect righteousness.

God is truth and love. This is why the Scriptures never shy away from addressing matters that offend our sense of modesty.Contemplating on all the aspects of the cruxifixion, however distasteful or gory should ultimately lead us to the conclusion that our sin is ugly, grave and repulsive but God’s grace and mercy is undeniable. That is why we “cherish the old rugged cross.” Its shame and horror will speak eternally of our Savior’s relentless love for us.

I have always believed in the paintings and photos I see until yesterday. I had a dream where I saw Our Lord Jesus Christ totally naked from behind. That was why I decided to do a research of it. Thank you for the insight. I do agree much more because God revealed it to me.

Dear Steve
I had a homily yesterday in Tamilnadu.India and mention this with an example. After the Mass 2 persons came and referred the jewish sentiments and told even if it is true better not to disgrace Jesus public.After I made a search and found this answers. I know truth is superior than modesty.i request you to enlighten me how to encounter indian catholics like those who give more importance to sentiments than truth?

Steve: I’m in a study of Zechariah 3 regarding Joshua as the high priest. The High Priest garments served as a very strong symbol of how God is to be viewed and approached. It triggered a question in my mind regarding the crucifixion, namely, that Joshua was initially in rags because he was being accused by Satan in front of the “Angel of the Lord” (Jesus). Then the angel commands that he be robed in clean clothes as His representative to the people. This is the only place in the Bible where a priest is described as being dirty, but it goes along with Isaiah where it describes our righteousness as “filthy rags” in Isaiah 64:6. It just seems to me that it would be a requirement for Jesus to be naked on the cross as a symbolic gesture to counter the symbolism of the perfect garments provided to the high priest as God’s representative to the people. My thoughts may seem a little muddled here, but you get the idea. I’m still studying this, but I’m convinced there are several Old Testament tie-ins to a naked crucifixion.

A further note of interest is that in Zechariah, the Angel of the Lord says that if Joshua keeps to the rules of the priesthood, He will remove the sin of “this land” in one day, meaning Israel. By extension, once we accept the act of the crucifixion is meant for us, our sins likewise are removed in one day, the reference being an immediate forgiveness of sin for Jerusalem and Israel. Joshua’s act of obedience while in the priestly garments for Israel is in direct agreement with our acceptance Jesus’ ultimate shame and sacrifice for the atonement of ALL sin. Acceptance of that act by each one of us removes our sins in one day.

I’d like to point a single artist who portraied Jesus naked on the cross, and is none other than Michelangelo!
It’s a little wooden statue at the church of the Holy Spirit in Florence.
It’s easy to look for it in google images!

I love this discussion because it forces one to relive in our minds the sacrifice our lord made for us, naked or not. Mr. Ray has also either by choice or unwillingly spread the Passion to unbelievers. I have to believe he knew what he was doing, great job sir. Argue all you want about it, the fact is he died on that cross for all of us, not just those who believe he was or was not naked. Knowing that he does everything perfect, he was naked.

Its a shame as humans we take away from His sacrifice. He allowed himself to be put to death naked, yet who are we to attempt to cover up his love and sacrafice, in which He allowed himself to be put to death in this way. The ultimate shame, for all of us. And you want to strip away parts of His passion you feel is politically incorrect.

Whilst I feel that it is unlikely to be genuine, the Turin Shroud does support the idea that Jesus was completely naked ,when He was crucified and buried, as it is now thought that shroud was produced in the early centuries ,so it would have reflected the understanding of the crucifixion not too long after the event.
Despite being told in Hebrews and confirmed by the Third Council of Constantinople that Christ “Became a man like us in all things but sin” until recently the Church has seemed to put all its emphasise on His Divinity. I feel that this has, to an extent, down played the actual suffering He endured and being God, He somehow could switch it off. A lot of depictions of the crucifixion appear to show Christ comfortable on the cross, almost as if He was having an afternoon nap. Whilst depictions of Christ on the cross clothed as Christ the King, may reflect His dual nature, they definitely are far removed from real event. I am not suggesting that it would be wise to show Christ as it really would have been i.e. doubly incontinent and with an erection, as the blood drained to his lower body, but, maybe, it would not be a bad idea to show Him completely naked, rather that the sanitised versions, which I feel detract His true suffering and humiliation for us.
No doubt many will condemn this idea, stating that showing the genitals is both indecent and disrespectful. I feel that it tantamount to blasphemy to suggest that God would create something indecent and I suggest a penis is no less decent than any other part of our bodies: the only part of us that is capable of being indecent is our brain.

Jesus was definitely NOT crucified naked. Imaging on the Shroud of Turin shows a garment and belt. See for yourself in this documentary… https://youtu.be/eCtDqCuhWNM

STEVE RAY HERE: Mari, sorry to disagree with you but this video proves nothing that would assume Jesus loin area was covered. First, Romans had no concern for modesty and they crucified people naked to increase the shame and punishment.

Second, the piece of cloth that shows on the shroud, if indeed it actually is a piece of separate cloth, would have been added to his body after death along with the face cloth and the shroud.

Third, the video says that the cloth stretching down from his waist to near his knees was only 8 centimeters wide (3 inches) which is hardly enough to cover a grown man’s groin area.

I know it is shocking to think of Jesus hanging naked on the cross but the whole affair is a shocking and brutal execution and there is no need to claim he was covered other than a modern sense of modesty and propriety which was not part of Roman execution procedures.

The paintings of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ are extremely romanticized, I believe that he was like a piece of bloody raw meat on the cross and naked. The bible says that So his visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men. Isaiah 52:14. They plummented him with punches and tore out his beard.

According to th mystic, Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich (Augustinian nun), a priest ran from th temple and arrived just in time to wrap his stole around Jesus's waist to prevent his being seen totally nude. If God is real n omnipotent why would God allow th shame of nakedness for his only begotten? Afteral Jesus sacrifice of atonement did NOT need include total nudity. Emmerich, a prolific visioary, proved highly accurate when confirmation of veracity was possible.

STEVE RAY HERE: firefly, thanks for your comments and your desire to protect the modesty of our Lord but I must argue with you on almost every point.

First, the temple was a long long way from the point of crucifixion. To suggest a priest ran out of the temple with a covering for Jesus is quite unlikely and logistically difficult to accomplish.

Second, mystics do not always agree. In fact, there are disagreements among them and they’re certainly not infallible. Their writings are called private revelation and are not required for belief. Plus Blessed Emmerich was incorrect on things she stated as well and she was incorrect on this one as well.

Third, to suggest that God being a MIP attend would not allow his son to die naked begs the question as to why if God was omnipotent he would allow his son to die such an ignominious death at all.

Fourth, like I emphasize in my article, the Romans were in charge of the crucifixion not the Jews or priest from the temple and the nakedness of a man out across was part of the punishment and shame that Rome wanted to make public as an example to anyone else who would defy their power. Nakedness was part of the whole humiliating punishment.

Fifth, I did not say or imply that nakedness was necessary for the crucifixion of Jesus. I simply said that’s the way it was historically and that’s with the Romans did.

Get over it, Jesus was crucified naked. It is only shame when a man accepts it as shame. That is the problem with modern Evangelicals, they are ashamed of nudity. Also when people try to blame Jews for crucifixion, they forget Jesus was a Jew, and so was all other people in that town except for the Romans. It is the Fanatic intolerance of new Ideas that crucified Jesus. That fanaticism is very active today in many religions, and those souls WILL be formated from the memory of this Universe.

Thank you for this article! It is fairly common knowledge that the Roman crucifixion experience was painful, horrific and humiliating. While it may seem necessary to some believers to protect the modesty of The Christ, I can’t help but make a parallel and an ironic observation. Muslims the world over will often passionately defend the character of The Prophet, sometimes with deadly results. It seems it is the curse of a certain order of mind to neither rest easy, ignore or accept ideas and facts that make them uneasy. It’s perhaps important to remind people that truth is not reliant on its palatability (my neologism, apparently, since spell-check went haywire). Also, it’s very important to sometimes let people know that a Supreme being doesn’t likely need to be defended from public scorn and scandal.

Thank you for the thoughtful article. I have always believed that Jesus was crucified naked, but that artists later depicted him wearing a loincloth because, as a circumcised man, evidence of his Jewishness became controversial. I am not trying to throw stones at anyone, but cultures that do not circumcise their baby boys often have a streak of anti-Semitism. Nudity per se doesn’t seem offensive in Christian art (angels, Adam and Eve). The crucifixion, though, is visually powerful, and I think it would be too emotionally difficult for the uncircumcised to confront the fact of Jesus’ Judaism. (On a personal note, the male ancestors in my family, and my husband’s family, had rarely if ever been circumcised, as far as I know. Nor were our sons. But my in-laws are European immigrants, and I remember my mother-in-law’s outrage when my nephew was circumcised as an infant. She made it VERY clear that she was upset about the baby’s misidentification as a Jewish boy, despite the parents’ insistence that this was a health/hygiene related decision.)

He was most painfully troubled at His shameful stripping on the Cross, which He endured to atone for the immodesty of men, and He implored that He might retain a girdle at least upon the Cross, but even this was not allowed Him. I saw, however, that He was to receive help, not from the executioners, but from a certain good person.

This is quoted from Emmerichs Passion of our Lord. What does this mean? “He received help…from a good person?”

Just because the Romans normally crucified victims naked, doesn't mean they crucified Jesus naked. We cannot be sure of anything that happened so long ago and so the word 'probably' should be used rather than definitely. Anyone who states that Jesus was definitely crucified naked loses credibility as no one knows. Why on earth this is important is a mystery to me…

STEVE RAY HERE: Romans did not just “normally“ crucify people naked, they always did. It was part of the punishment through humiliation and other degradation. That’s one of the things that made it all the more horrific and scared people from ever defying the powers of Rome. If you have proof they ever crucified men clothed, let me know your source. Even the Jews stoned men naked.

As to why? It seems to me it’s good to know as much about Jesus and his crucifixion and suffering as we can. I think everyone would agree.

Plus it works with the typology. Adam came into the world naked and innocent and brought sin so needed to be clothed. Jesus is the New Adam and to reverse and recapitulate to start a new humanity, he went “back into another garden clothed” and was stripped naked to reverse Adam and Eve’s sin and restore original innocence.

It is time we get over the pristine paintings of Jesus hanging on the cross with a loin cloth and only a few drops of blood on his body. Men had eyes plucked out by the flogging and if the scourge was able to slice off the skin why is it hard to also accept that it could also slice off the penis or testicles or very least rip the testicles open. Isaiah talks about the crucifixion and it’s ugliness. We shouldn’t view all paintings or photos of nudity as pornography it is historical and not only that without Christ she’d blood we would be lost.